paNOW - Alex SoloduchaPrince Albert. RIGHT NOW!https://panow.com/
enThu, 31 Dec 2015 07:01:06 -0600Thu, 31 Dec 2015 07:02:04 -0600Top stories of 2015: #2 ‘big dig’ becomes big headache, wraps up in fall https://panow.com/article/548942/top-stories-2015-2-big-dig-becomes-big-headache-wraps-fall
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/aes-%20big%20dig%20-%20Aug%204%2C%202015_0.JPG?itok=IShOeo8E" width="480" height="270" alt="Big dig site." title="paNOW file photo" />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>A year ago, the City of Prince Albert announced a new project: the ‘big dig’.</p>
<p>As time passed, the overhaul of the water pipes below 15th St. and 2nd Ave. W seemed to take more of a toll on traffic, local business and municipality.</p>
<p>In the 2015 State of the City Address, the project was first announced.</p>
<p>On June 8, it finally kicked off with a completion date set for mid-September.</p>
<p>Pushed back by weather and unforeseen issues, they hit the midway point in August and changed the estimated completion date to the first week in October.</p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/548942/top-stories-2015-2-big-dig-becomes-big-headache-wraps-fall">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha548942Thu, 31 Dec 2015 07:01:06 -0600paNOW - Alex SoloduchaP.A. man drives off in free $75K Christmas win https://panow.com/article/547738/pa-man-drives-free-75k-christmas-win
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/aes-%20truck%20pic%202.JPG?itok=V_h50nNh" width="480" height="270" alt="Keith McLeod and his wife Janice in front of their new truck presented by Canadian Tire owner Malcolm Jenkins. " title="Alex Soloducha, paNOW Staff. " />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>Christmas came a little early for one Prince Albert man.</p>
<p>When Keith McLeod answered the phone a few days ago, he didn’t expect to be told he won a $75,000 truck.</p>
<p>“When I first got the phone call it was kind of like disbelief,” he said.</p>
<p>On Friday, he drove off in it from with his wife Janice.</p>
<p>This was all part of a contest through MotorMaster Diesel, an automotive parts company which has been affiliated with Canadian Tire for the past 90 years.</p>
<p>McLeod entered the contest through DRIVER Magazine, but didn’t really think about winning. </p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/547738/pa-man-drives-free-75k-christmas-win">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha547738Fri, 18 Dec 2015 17:21:26 -0600paNOW - Alex SoloduchaShellbrook woman goes all out for Christmashttps://panow.com/article/547685/shellbrook-woman-goes-all-out-christmas
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/aes-%20Shellbrook%20house%201_0.JPG?itok=nB498a8v" width="480" height="270" alt="Dolores Poppel, from Shellbrook, has collected a miniature Christmas village with 50 houses and a train going through, which her family helps her set up each year." title="Alex Soloducha, paNOW staff" />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>One local woman is using over-the-top décor to convey the spirit of Christmas.</p>
<p>Dolores Poppel, from Shellbrook, has set up an elaborate house full of Christmas decorations.</p>
<p>Throughout the years, she’s collected a miniature Christmas village, with 50 houses and a train going through the town.</p>
<p>This time around, she has it set up in tiers so it looks like it’s going up a hill. There’s even a Walt Disney section.</p>
<p>In total, the display takes two and a half days to set up, with the help of her family.</p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/547685/shellbrook-woman-goes-all-out-christmas">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha547685Fri, 18 Dec 2015 12:24:29 -0600paNOW - Alex SoloduchaFamily’s new home destroyed before Christmas, teen arrested https://panow.com/article/547031/family-s-new-home-destroyed-christmas-teen-arrested
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/go%20fund%20me%20home%20vandalism%20after-%20courtesy%20gofundme.jpg?itok=EFegX5Ji" width="480" height="270" alt="A 14-year-old has been arrested and charged after allegedly vandalising Ali and Julius Crane’s brand new home in the village of Cumberland House." title="Submitted photo" />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>Thanks to a vandal, one northern Saskatchewan family won’t be having the Christmas they had planned.</p>
<p>In spring 2013, Ali and Julius Crane started work building their dream home.</p>
<p>Julius, who works away from home as a mechanic at a mine full time, spent every week off working on the house, according to his sister-in-law, Adrianne Hodgson.</p>
<p>After two years of work and waiting, they planned to have their family living in their newly built home for Christmas this year.</p>
<p>But after a nightmarish weekend, everything has changed.</p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/547031/family-s-new-home-destroyed-christmas-teen-arrested">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha547031Wed, 16 Dec 2015 06:15:48 -0600paNOW - Alex SoloduchaGoFundMe campaign ends emotional year for one P.A. womanhttps://panow.com/article/546171/gofundme-campaign-ends-emotional-year-one-pa-woman
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/Michell%20McKeaveney%201-courtesy%20GoFundMe.JPG?itok=PLnXHvT-" width="480" height="270" alt="Michelle McKeaveney's journey through Graves and Graves thyroid eye disease" title="Courtesy GoFundMe" />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>Over the course of five years, everything has changed for Michelle McKeaveney.</p>
<p>In 2010 she was diagnosed with Graves disease, which causes the neck to swell.</p>
<p>In the years to come, no one knew it had set in to the eyes until it had fully progressed into Graves thyroid eye disease. During the initial stages her eyes would bulge, to the point where her eyelids wouldn’t close.</p>
<p>She had six surgeries to move them back.</p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/546171/gofundme-campaign-ends-emotional-year-one-pa-woman">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha546171Sun, 13 Dec 2015 08:08:17 -0600paNOW - Alex SoloduchaMacDowall home invasion victim offering $10K reward for clues https://panow.com/article/545905/macdowall-home-invasion-victim-offering-10k-reward-clues
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/aes-%20Cliff-gun_0.JPG?itok=jPCA-yiz" width="480" height="270" alt="Cliff Hlewka demonstrates how he was assaulted in the foyer of his home near MacDowall." title="Alex Soloducha, paNOW Staff. " />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>It’s been almost three months since Cliff Hlewka’s home was violently invaded by three men. </p>
<p>Looking back, he still remembers almost every detail.</p>
<p>On Sep. 12 at 3 a.m., a car pulled into the driveway of his home, five kilometres from MacDowall. His wife Judy answered the door.</p>
<p>Hlewka, 75, looked outside and saw a reflective stripe down the side of the black car and down their pant legs.</p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/545905/macdowall-home-invasion-victim-offering-10k-reward-clues">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha545905Fri, 11 Dec 2015 17:14:56 -0600paNOW - Alex SoloduchaVeterans receive unique gift for servicehttps://panow.com/article/544640/veterans-receive-unique-gift-service
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/aes-%20quilts%20of%20valour.JPG?itok=M_g_bB2h" width="480" height="270" alt="Michael Georget, Adam Kinequon and Marcel Baynton receive their quilts from family members" title="Alex Soloducha, paNOW Staff" />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>It was a special day for three veterans in Duck Lake.</p>
<p>Shannon McGilvery, the Quilts of Valour representative for northern Saskatchewan, presented them with quilts on Thursday as a symbolic ‘thank you’ for their service.</p>
<p>Michael Georget, Marcel Baynton and Adam Kinequon were at Mami’s Country Quilts to receive their gift.</p>
<p>“They really need it…most of them never hear a thank you, ever,” said McGilvery.</p>
<p>Those looking to get involved in the movement, from anywhere in Canada, can do so in many different ways.</p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/544640/veterans-receive-unique-gift-service">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha544640Sat, 05 Dec 2015 08:25:49 -0600paNOW - Alex SoloduchaHope from the ashes: Melfort shelter almost completehttps://panow.com/article/544266/hope-ashes-melfort-shelter-almost-complete
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/kb%20-%20fire%20melfort%20shelter%20combo.%20Dec.%201%2C%202014_1.jpg?itok=tALk7Wr9" width="480" height="270" alt="On Nov. 29, 2014, a fire destroyed the new North East Outreach and Support Services (NEOSS) women’s shelter in Melfort. Construction of the new shelter is now almost complete." title="paNOW file photo" />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>In just over a year, the build of the new shelter in Melfort has come a long way.</p>
<p>On Nov. 29, 2014, a fire destroyed the new North East Outreach and Support Services (NEOSS) women’s shelter in the city.</p>
<p>At the time of the fire, the new building was almost finished.</p>
<p>The incident put the build on hold, and delayed the new shelter’s ability to serve the needs of women and children in northeast Saskatchewan.</p>
<p>Michael Baxter, communications co-chair for the Future Hope Capital Campaign, said they’re excited to be in the last legs of the project.</p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/544266/hope-ashes-melfort-shelter-almost-complete">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha544266Thu, 03 Dec 2015 06:54:42 -0600paNOW - Alex SoloduchaP.A. Outreach grieves death of Karina Wolfe, who spent time in the cityhttps://panow.com/article/544260/pa-outreach-grieves-death-karina-wolfe-who-spent-time-city
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/lk%20karina%20wolfe%20location%20site%20November%2030%202015%20p4_0.jpg?itok=V6E3XsYx" width="480" height="270" alt="Flowers, stuffed animals, sweetgrass and tobacco make a memorial on the very spot Saskatoon Police found Karina Wolfe's remains." title="CKOM News photo" />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>A group who works with people on the streets of Prince Albert are facing the death of another missing aboriginal woman.</p>
<p>This month, police found the remains of Karina Wolfe near Saskatoon after a confession by a Saskatoon man five years after she went missing.</p>
<p>The lead investigator said the 20-year-old struggled with addiction issues and lived a high-risk lifestyle.</p>
<p>Peggy Rubin, executive director at the P.A. Outreach program, is in charge of a team that spends five to six nights a week helping out people on the streets of Prince Albert.</p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/544260/pa-outreach-grieves-death-karina-wolfe-who-spent-time-city">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha544260Thu, 03 Dec 2015 06:31:58 -0600paNOW - Alex SoloduchaCrowdfunding project aims to revive historic Melfort building https://panow.com/article/544102/crowdfunding-project-aims-revive-historic-melfort-building
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/Post-Office-Sun-Rise%20%28edit%29.jpg?itok=49RE3b9X" width="480" height="270" alt="A new crowd funding project has been launched to revive the original Melfort post office, with a goal of $40,000." title="Photo courtesy This Place Matters. " />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>People with a soft spot for historic architecture will be happy to hear of a new funding project for the original Melfort post office.</p>
<p><a href="https://thisplacematters.ca/project/historic-post-office-restoration-reuse-project/" target="_blank">This Place Matters</a> allows non-profit groups like the Main Street Melfort organizers to create crowd-funding projects. </p>
<p>So far, they have raised $850 in less than 10 days, with about three months more to go. On top of that, RBC has pledged to match every dollar, up to $25,000.</p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/544102/crowdfunding-project-aims-revive-historic-melfort-building">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha544102Wed, 02 Dec 2015 12:03:19 -0600paNOW - Alex SoloduchaWorld AIDS Day in P.A. aims to silence stigmahttps://panow.com/article/543960/world-aids-day-pa-aims-silence-stigma
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/aes-%20aids%20walk%201.JPG?itok=LkCH5FOB" width="480" height="270" alt="Tony Depadua and Lauren Charles, at city hall, prepare for the World AIDS Day walk in Prince Albert. " title="Alex Soloducha, paNOW Staff. " />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>Dec. 1 is <a href="http://www.catie.ca/en/world-aids-day" target="_blank">World AIDS Day</a> and people in Prince Albert took to the streets to commemorate lives lost and break the stigma associated with the disease.</p>
<p>Lauren Charles, who was diagnosed with HIV in early 2009, was happy to take the walk from city hall to Access Place.</p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/543960/world-aids-day-pa-aims-silence-stigma">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha543960Tue, 01 Dec 2015 17:31:11 -0600paNOW - Alex SoloduchaOptimist Clubs of P.A. help out before the holidays https://panow.com/article/543761/optimist-clubs-pa-help-out-holidays
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/cop%20donation%20fr%20optimist.JPG?itok=5Zk_UJYZ" width="480" height="270" alt="Izabela Rozanowski from the High Noon Optimist Club and Vince Parker from the P.A. Optimist Club, presented $800 to Helen Christensen of Victim Services and the Prince Albert Police Service on Monday." title="Alex Soloducha, paNOW Staff. " />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>It may not be December yet, but some local groups are already in the giving spirit.</p>
<p>On Monday, representatives from both the P.A. Optimist Club and the High Noon Optimist Club were at the Prince Albert Police Station. There, they presented the Victim Services division with a cheque for $800.</p>
<p>Victim Services provides help to people in a time of need, whether that be transportation, or anything to help them during difficulty.</p>
<p>Helen Christensen, coordinator of Victim Services, said the donation was a very gracious gesture going in to the holiday season.</p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/543761/optimist-clubs-pa-help-out-holidays">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha543761Mon, 30 Nov 2015 17:14:01 -0600paNOW - Alex SoloduchaSask. Finance minister totes balanced budget, P.A. projects not in focushttps://panow.com/article/543363/sask-finance-minister-totes-balanced-budget-pa-projects-not-focus
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/aes-%20finance%20minister%201.JPG?itok=_hUUKdLf" width="480" height="270" alt="Minister of finance for Saskatchewan, Kevin Doherty, visited Prince Albert to budget." title="Alex Soloducha, paNOW Staff. " />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>Going in to an election year, Brad Wall’s Saskatchewan Party government is ready to lead with their ministry of finance and a balanced budget.</p>
<p>On Friday, the minister of finance for Saskatchewan, Kevin Doherty, visited Prince Albert to give a talk, hosted by the city’s Chamber of Commerce.</p>
<p>While he didn’t have many specific details on what Prince Albert can expect in the coming years, he said he is aware of the hot-button issues residents are focused on.</p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/543363/sask-finance-minister-totes-balanced-budget-pa-projects-not-focus">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha543363Fri, 27 Nov 2015 18:04:36 -0600paNOW - Alex SoloduchaDeputy Fire Chief thankful for help rescuing horses https://panow.com/article/543110/deputy-fire-chief-thankful-help-rescuing-horses
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/horses%20rescue%20edit_0.JPG?itok=5yL7WH_r" width="480" height="270" alt="Deputy fire Chief Corey Rodgers said the effort took several hours. In the end, they were able to save three out of seven trapped horses." title="Photo submitted by the Prince Albert Fire Department." />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>The Prince Albert Fire Department (PAFD) had to undergo a very uncommon rescue attempt when several horses fell through ice on Wednesday.</p>
<p>On a farm property just east of Prince Albert, the animals became trapped in a frozen slough.</p>
<p>Deputy fire Chief Corey Rodgers said they were called at 1:15 by RCMP, who needed extra help.</p>
<p>“We didn’t really know what we were getting into until we got there,” he said.</p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/543110/deputy-fire-chief-thankful-help-rescuing-horses">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha543110Thu, 26 Nov 2015 17:41:10 -0600paNOW - Alex SoloduchaRed Cross director applauds fire efforts, discusses refugee crisishttps://panow.com/article/543109/red-cross-director-applauds-fire-efforts-discusses-refugee-crisis
<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://panow.com/sites/default/files/styles/main_article_image_rss/public/field/image/aes-%20red%20cross%202.JPG?itok=wmkjwJVf" width="480" height="270" alt="Kim MacLean, from the Red Cross awards Russell Barton for his volunteer contributions along with long-time volunteer Lyle Karasiuk." title="Alex Soloducha, paNOW Staff. " />
<p><strong>By Alex Soloducha</strong></p>
<p>This year, the Red Cross in Saskatchewan took on a huge project, helping to relocate thousands of evacuees when fires ravaged the northern part of the province.</p>
<p>On Thursday, the Red Cross hosted a luncheon at City Hall to thank their volunteers and recognize significant contributions.</p>
<p>Kim MacLean, director of disaster management for Saskatchewan and Manitoba, said they were hugely impressed with everyone’s efforts to help.</p>
<p>“If we didn’t have all these other partners and volunteers, we would never be able to deliver the service,” she said.</p>
<p>...</p>
<a href="https://panow.com/article/543109/red-cross-director-applauds-fire-efforts-discusses-refugee-crisis">Read More</a>Alex Soloducha543109Thu, 26 Nov 2015 17:33:24 -0600paNOW - Alex Soloducha